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<blockquote data-quote="StreamOfTheSky" data-source="post: 4320972" data-attributes="member: 35909">Well, the Duskblade base class is your best bet if you don't need to literally be a wizard.&nbsp; Beyond that, in Complete Mage there's a prestige class -- Abjurant Champion -- that gives good HD, full BAB, and full casting progression, plus some nice class features.&nbsp; It's only 5 levels, though.&nbsp; If you're willing to lose ore than one point of BAB and more than one caster level, a [any arcanist] / Crusader / Jade Pheonix Mage (Tome of Battle) gives some really cool options.&nbsp; And unless you really want the capstone class feature to immolate yourself for massive damage and then reform in perfect health at level 10, you can safely jump out before losing a second CL from the class.Now, with a spiked chain, a Shadow Hand-based build with Swordsage insteado f Crusader might be more useful, but is far more feat intensive (two feats to make str obsolete on melee attacks, feat for proficiency to go with your free weapon focus, Adaptive Style's basically a requirement...) and not as powerful.&nbsp; For various reasons, Crusader is the best adept class for any prestige class if possible (since each new maneuver readied = extra granted maneuver), especially for fighter/mage builds, since you don't have to waste an action you could've spent casting to regain maneuvers.Another alternative may be Druid.&nbsp; They get enough fire and lightning spells, especially with Spell Compendium, and evne some force stuff.&nbsp; Use the UA variant to swap wildshape for more combat prowess, and you're doing pretty well.&nbsp; Yet another alternative could be battle sorcerer.&nbsp; Complete Mage also has a variant feature &quot;Stalwart Sorcerer&quot; that combines well with this.&nbsp; Mix in some Paladin for a BAB boost and some nice class features if you like (and the ability to use wands and scrolls of great Pal combat spells like Rhino's Rush and Find the Gap), most notably cha to all saves.&nbsp; Of course, that will cost you caster levels.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="StreamOfTheSky, post: 4320972, member: 35909"] Well, the Duskblade base class is your best bet if you don't need to literally be a wizard. Beyond that, in Complete Mage there's a prestige class -- Abjurant Champion -- that gives good HD, full BAB, and full casting progression, plus some nice class features. It's only 5 levels, though. If you're willing to lose ore than one point of BAB and more than one caster level, a [any arcanist] / Crusader / Jade Pheonix Mage (Tome of Battle) gives some really cool options. And unless you really want the capstone class feature to immolate yourself for massive damage and then reform in perfect health at level 10, you can safely jump out before losing a second CL from the class. Now, with a spiked chain, a Shadow Hand-based build with Swordsage insteado f Crusader might be more useful, but is far more feat intensive (two feats to make str obsolete on melee attacks, feat for proficiency to go with your free weapon focus, Adaptive Style's basically a requirement...) and not as powerful. For various reasons, Crusader is the best adept class for any prestige class if possible (since each new maneuver readied = extra granted maneuver), especially for fighter/mage builds, since you don't have to waste an action you could've spent casting to regain maneuvers. Another alternative may be Druid. They get enough fire and lightning spells, especially with Spell Compendium, and evne some force stuff. Use the UA variant to swap wildshape for more combat prowess, and you're doing pretty well. Yet another alternative could be battle sorcerer. Complete Mage also has a variant feature "Stalwart Sorcerer" that combines well with this. Mix in some Paladin for a BAB boost and some nice class features if you like (and the ability to use wands and scrolls of great Pal combat spells like Rhino's Rush and Find the Gap), most notably cha to all saves. Of course, that will cost you caster levels. [/QUOTE]

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